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DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AmeriHealth
Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve
Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state’s new IA
Health Link program beginning March 1, 2016, and Mercy Health
Network, a health care system with facilities across Iowa, announced
today they have signed an agreement that will give AmeriHealth Caritas
Iowa’s members access to Mercy Health Network’s hospitals, physicians
and other health care services and facilities.

Mercy Health Network includes medical centers in Clinton, Des Moines,
Dubuque, Mason City and Sioux City. It is affiliated with additional
hospitals, clinics and other providers throughout Iowa as well as in
neighboring Nebraska and South Dakota.

“We are excited to add Mercy Health Network to our provider network and
partner with them to help make Iowa an even healthier state,” said
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa Market President Cheryl Harding. “For more than
30 years, our family of companies has specialized in helping individuals
who are most in need to access quality health care and services. And
since our family of companies was also originally founded by the Sisters
of Mercy, we know that Mercy Health Network shares our commitment to
removing barriers to care and services and to building healthy
communities across this state.”

AmeriHealth Caritas has successfully implemented Medicaid managed care
plans throughout the country based on an integrated model of care, which
includes physical and behavioral health, pharmacy benefit management and
specialty pharmacy. AmeriHealth Caritas’ unique model of care, along
with more than 30 years of experience caring for populations with
complex health conditions, affirms AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa as
well-prepared to serve the individuals who will participate in the IA
Health Link program.

“We are pleased to announce this agreement with AmeriHealth Caritas, as
it represents our commitment to provide health care services for all in
need,” said David Vellinga, CEO of Mercy Health Network. “We look
forward to a long-term partnership that continues our focus on improving
the quality of care and health and well-being of low-income families and
children in our communities.”

About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of
Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will
participate in IA Health Link beginning in March 2016. AmeriHealth
Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working
with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout
the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies

AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in
partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas
is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most
in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia,
AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.9 million Medicaid, Medicare and
CHIP members through its integrated managed care products,
pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services,
behavioral health services and other administrative services.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven
organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income
and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

About Mercy Health Network

Mercy Health Network (MHN) is an integrated system of member hospitals
and other health and patient care facilities united into one operating
organization to improve the delivery of healthcare services to the
people of Iowa and adjoining states. MHN was created to add value to
participating organizations and communities by containing costs,
improving quality, increasing accessibility to care, and enhancing
services to patients and their families. One in four Iowans who seek
health care do so at a MHN-affiliated organization. Its Midwest Rural
Telemedicine Consortium is the largest telemedicine program in Iowa.
MHN’s two national sponsors own and operate medical centers and other
services in Clinton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Mason City, and Sioux City and
community hospitals in six other locations. In addition, MHN has 27
members who participate through contracts for management and other
services. Mercy Health Network (MHN) was founded in 1998 under a joint
operating agreement between two of the largest Catholic, not-for-profit
health organizations in the United States: Catholic Health Initiatives,
based in Englewood, Colorado, and Trinity Health, based in Livonia,
Michigan.